Kasambara moved to Zomba Prison, joins Lutepo: ‘Has life threatening condition’
Arrested former Minister of Justice, Ralph Kasambara -currently answering to attempt murder charge – has been transferred to Zomba Maximum Prison on remand, Malawi Prison Service official confirmed.
Kasambara, one of the country’s prominent lawyers and a senior counsel (SC), his former bodyguard, Keston Gani and Pika Manondo have been charged with attempting to murder Ministry of Finance budget director Paul Mphwiyo in Lilongwe’s Area 43 residential estate on September 13 this year.
Bullets which were found in Mphwiyo’s body have allegedly been traced to a gun belonging to Gani, a police officer who was on duty when Kasambara was heading the Ministry of Justice.
Malawi Prison Service spokesperson, Evance Phiri told Nyasa Times that Kasambara was moved from Lilongwe to Zomba on Thursday where Osward Lutepo, one of suspects in the Cash-gate scandal is being kept.
Phiri, however, said there was no clear reason for Kasambara’s transfer.
“There is no clear reason as to why he has been transferred but it might be that they want him to be tried at Zomba High Court, which is closer to the prison unlike in Lilongwe,” Phiri explained.
Kasambara, one of Malawi’s most influential and controversial lawyers, was arrested on Friday November 8, 2013 at his Area 10 residence in the Capital City of Lilongwe barely a week after police searched his house.
Lilongwe High court on Wednesday set November 22 as a day it will rule on a bail application.
This then means the ex-justice minister, currently reported to be ill, will remain in the cooler for nine more days despite his lawyer pleading for his release.
One of his lawyers Emmanuel Theu said Kasambala has a heart condition that need urgent medical attention.
State prosecutor Bruno Kalemba told the court that Kasambara was well taken care of in the holding cell and has since received treatment for his illness.
The court was presented with affidavits from a prison medical doctor, Henry Ndindi, and an independent doctor, Victor Madhlopa, who recommended that Kasambara should receive specialist treatment either at Mwaiwathu Private Hospital in Blantyre or in South Africa.
Government claims Phwiyo, 37 was gunned down because was about to expose massive theft in government.
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